But who was the mysterious guest, and why did he bear the likeness
of him whom, above all others, Eros and Psyche had loved? That is a
question which answers itself in all our lives. For when the time
comes--as come it must--that this majestic Presence is met face to face,
shall we not trust that the countenance which will, perhaps, seem awful,
may at least not be as that of a stranger whom we know not, and whose
heart is indifferent towards us? Would it not be pleasant, at that hour,
to recognise in him who must herald our entrance into a new society,
the well-known features of one whom our previous life had made our most
secure and faithful friend?
CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Double story titles on seperate pages have been removed.
The following corrections have been made, on page
30 ' moved ("'Pretty soon, Jack,' says he again)
31 " added (a pledge that'....")
31 "IV." added (section header)
39 "eëriest" changed to "eeriest" (ghost and witches might scream
their eeriest unheard by)
53 ? changed to ! (It is you who must finish it!)
62 "maybe" changed to "may be" (He believed, it may be, that no one)
160 "egs" changed to "legs" (with a flourish of its arms and legs)
161 "waive" changed to "wave" (half facing about to wave me on.)
165 " added ("Wait a moment, I am merely)
169 "your" changed to "you" (If you were a lawyer)
185 ' added and , changed to . (You know German?'--he says.)
185 "..." changed to '...' ('What you don't know about diamonds
isn't worth knowing,' I put in.)
195 ' added ("'I don't know where to telegraph)
206 . added (the worse was my success.)
246 ' added (as thy brother, Christina,' I laughed)
246 , added (I daresay, 'It is true).
Otherwise the original has been preserved, including inconsistent
hyphenation.